A World of Communion, Friendship, and Mutual Care

As we reflect on the teachings of Jesus, we see a vision for society that is radically different from the world we often experience. Instead of a social order based on domination, exploitation, and selfishness, Jesus advocated for a way of life centered on communion, friendship, and mutual care.

At the heart of Jesus' program is the principle of equality. Rather than a vertical hierarchy of "power over," he envisioned a horizontal community of sharing and partnership. Even our relationship with God is not one of distant authority, but of the Spirit dwelling within each of us, calling us to active collaboration.

This "covenant" idea means that our responsibilities and care for one another go both ways, in a context of mutual respect. There are no rigid social statuses - we are all equally valued, while our diverse gifts and talents are organized for the benefit of the whole. The incentive is not personal gain, but a genuine concern for the wellbeing of all.

These ideas may sound idealistic, but they speak to something deep within the human spirit. We all have an innate longing for this kind of community, this sense of belonging and shared purpose. Yet too often, we are discouraged from fully embracing these feelings by the competitive, suspicious, and hostile norms of the dominant culture.

But when individuals break free and come together, something remarkable can happen. A cooperative lifestyle emerges, one that fosters stronger unity and support than the individualism we've grown accustomed to. It's a vision that flows naturally from the recognition that the divine Spirit resides within each of us and all of creation.

Imagine the wonderful implications if we truly lived out this vision of Jesus. How could we ever harm or exploit another, when we see the sacred spark of the divine within them? What could we accomplish if we pooled our diverse talents and energies, motivated by a genuine concern for one another's wellbeing?

This is the transformative potential of Jesus' social program - a world of communion, friendship, and mutual care. It's a vision that calls us to a higher way of being, one that honors the inherent dignity and equality of all people. May we have the courage to embrace it, and the wisdom to let it shape our lives and communities.

(adopted from: Beatrice Bruteau, The Holy Thursday Revolution)